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Studies & Degrees in Publishing

Publishing is the business of turning a manuscript or an idea into a book, magazine, journal or digital product and getting it to readers. The Publishers Association, the trade body for UK publishers, puts it simply: publishing is making concepts public. A course in publishing teaches how that happens in practice, from the choice of what to publish to editing, design, production, marketing, sales and the sale of rights.

Students learn to assess and edit texts, to plan a title from contract to bookshop, to read the finances of a list, and to work with print, ebook and audio formats. Programmes are practical and close to the industry. The MS in Publishing of New York University, for example, is organised around content development, marketing and distribution, and profitability, and ends with a capstone in which each student writes and presents a business plan for a new media venture.

Qualifications and levels

Publishing is mostly studied after, or alongside, a first degree in another subject.

  • Bachelor's level. Some universities offer a major or minor in publishing and editing, often next to English or creative writing. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics states that editors typically need a bachelor's degree in English or a related field, such as communications or journalism, and that candidates with other backgrounds who can show strong writing skills may also find work.
  • Master's degrees. This is the main specialised route. The MS in Publishing of the New York University School of Professional Studies has 36 credits, takes at least 18 months, can be studied full-time or part-time and may be completed fully online; tuition is US$2,896 per credit for a start in fall 2026 or spring 2027. It prepares students for book publishing and for digital and magazine media, and offers an elective internship. In Spain, official master's degrees have 60, 90 or 120 ECTS credits and a bachelor's degree (grado) has 240.
  • Short intensive courses. The Summer Publishing Institute of the same school runs for four weeks, from 1 to 25 June 2027, with tuition of US$5,100. It is designed for recent graduates, final-year students and young professionals, gives graduate credit that counts towards the MS in Publishing, and asks international students for TOEFL scores.

Where to study

SpainExchange lists six active schools for publishing. Five are in the United States and one is in the United Kingdom. The list includes New York University and its School of Professional Studies in New York, Susquehanna University in Selinsgrove, Bellevue College, Montgomery College and University College London.

All are in English-speaking countries. The New York University programme, for example, includes visits to publishing companies and internships in New York. Publishing also depends on the language of the market: students who want to work with books in Spanish or another language should look at how much of a programme applies outside the English-language industry, and ask about work placements.

Careers

A publishing house is organised in departments, and each is a career path. The Publishers Association describes them as follows: editorial commissions new books and works with authors up to publication; design develops covers; production makes the printed book or ebook; marketing and publicity bring it to readers; sales finds the channels that get books to consumers; rights licenses versions such as translations or film adaptations; and audio teams produce audiobooks. Literary agencies, which represent writers to publishers, are a related employer. Typical first jobs are assistant roles, such as editorial assistant, and commissioning editor is a later step.

The US Bureau of Labor Statistics projects employment of editors to decline 1 percent from 2025 to 2035, with about 7,900 openings a year, all of them to replace people who leave the occupation. It adds that demand for reading for pleasure may support demand for book editors, while jobs at print newspapers and magazines are expected to fall.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a publishing degree to work in publishing?

No. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, editors typically need a bachelor's degree in English or a related field, and people with other backgrounds and strong writing skills also find jobs. A specialised master's degree or short course adds industry knowledge and contacts.

How long does a master's degree in publishing take?

The MS in Publishing at New York University has 36 credits and takes a minimum of 18 months. In Spain, official master's degrees have 60, 90 or 120 ECTS credits.

Can I study publishing online?

Yes, at some schools. The MS in Publishing of the New York University School of Professional Studies may be completed fully online, on site or as a mix of both.

Which jobs are there besides editor?

Publishing houses also employ people in design, production, marketing, publicity, sales, rights and audio, and literary agencies employ agents and assistants.